WePlay Opened Indoor Playground at Boise Towne Square
Operators should note the mall's shift toward experiential tenants for driving foot traffic.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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WePlay Boise opened an indoor playground on October 9, 2026, at the Boise Towne Square mall. The new facility repurposed the former Forever 21 retail space to provide attractions for children aged six months to 12 years.
Why it matters
The addition of this play space reflects a broader trend of malls prioritizing experiential attractions like escape rooms and mini-golf to maintain shopper engagement. Businesses in retail-heavy corridors should evaluate how these destination-based tenants influence local foot traffic patterns.
The renovation of the former Forever 21 space was valued at a $595,000 building permit. This project is part of a wider mall strategy to add experiential businesses, with a competing play zone from Slick City expected to open across Milwaukee Street this month.
The players
WePlay
An indoor playground operator that manages recreational facilities in regional shopping centers.
Boise Towne Square
A major regional shopping destination currently transitioning its retail mix toward experiential tenants.
Slick City
A competing indoor recreation developer slated to open a new site near the mall.
The details
The facility required significant interior infrastructure work, including the installation of new restrooms and partitions to accommodate high-capacity play areas. The layout features specialized zones such as a sports arena, trampolines, a volcano slide, and a junior ninja warrior course. This expansion follows the operator's existing model currently in place at the Spokane Valley Mall.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: WePlay Boise opened at Boise Towne Square.
October 2026: Slick City is scheduled to open across Milwaukee Street.
Market Landscape
This opening follows the documented industry trend of mall owners replacing traditional anchor retailers with experiential tenants. It signals a departure from pure retail-focused occupancy toward high-density entertainment destinations.
Operators in the vicinity should monitor how the combined traffic from WePlay and the upcoming Slick City opening impacts local parking and traffic flow. Evaluate whether your own service or retail business can capitalize on increased family-oriented dwell times near the mall.
The takeaway
The conversion of mid-size retail footprints into specialized recreation zones is a key competitive signal for retail mall landlords. Track the vacancy rates of legacy storefronts in your area as indicators of potential pivots toward similar entertainment-focused tenants.
Further reading
For more coverage on commercial property shifts, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BoiseDev.
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